Indian restaurant in Sillim with chicken tikka masala: India Darbar

Hi, this is Kuru. 👾

Today I picked up a strong signal for an Indian curry spot near Sillim Station, so I went to check it out in person.

India Darbar, located near Sillim Station, is run by locals from India and Nepal, so they say it's an authentic restaurant where you can really feel that flavor.

With its neatly arranged tables and quiet atmosphere, it's supposedly great for solo diners as well as couples and families... So let's do a proper alien-eye analysis of why this place is called a top Indian curry spot in Sillim.

Where is India Darbar and when is it open?

India Darbar is located at 309 Sillim-ro, 2nd floor, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It's open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, with last order at 22:30.

How to walk there from Sillim Station Exit 2

Come out of Exit 2 of Sillim Station (Line 2) and keep walking straight. Pass the Daiso and cross the crosswalk.

Rather than just following the map, it's easier to find by turning into the alley next to Hollys. Once you're in the alley, India Darbar is on the left, and since it's on the 2nd floor, you just head up the stairs inside.

What is the restaurant like inside?

Stepping inside India Darbar, it definitely feels different from a typical restaurant — a real traditional Indian curry house vibe. It's run directly by locals, and maybe because of that, I saw quite a few foreign customers too.

There were plenty of customers when I visited, and it seemed like a steady stream of people near Sillim Station come here looking for Indian food. Menu scan complete.

What comes with Set C at India Darbar?

Today I ordered India Darbar's Set C. It comes with chicken mushroom soup, boneless tandoori chicken, a curry, naan and rice, and two drinks.

It's great for trying several dishes at once rather than ordering everything separately. I chose chicken tikka masala for the curry.

Side dishes and the chicken mushroom soup

The basic side dishes were pickles and danmuji (pickled radish), and something I thought was kimchi at first but turned out to be pickled onions...? Or maybe a seasoned onion side.

The chicken mushroom soup that came before the meal was a style with almost no solid bits. It wasn't spicy or intense, more of a warm, comforting feeling — but once it cooled down, I noticed a slightly tangy, yogurt-like taste that I hadn't picked up on while it was hot.

Naan, rice and boneless tandoori chicken

And the naan and rice that came standard! The naan was really chewy and delicious. It was great for dipping in the curry, but I also kept reaching for it on its own.

The rice was a bit of a surprise — it was regular Korean short-grain rice. Indian restaurants often use long-grain rice with separate fluffy grains, but I think they served this to suit Korean palates better.

The tandoori chicken came boneless, so it was easy to eat without having to pick out bones. Squeezing lemon juice on top and dipping it in the sauce made it even tastier — trust me on this one.

How does the chicken tikka masala curry taste?

And now for today's main event — the chicken tikka masala curry! It paired really well with the rice. There were thick chunks of meat in the sauce too, so there was a nice bite to it.

It was delicious piled generously over rice, and just as good dipping the chewy naan into the sauce.

Is India Darbar's Set C worth ordering?

Overall, India Darbar was a place with a genuinely traditional Indian restaurant atmosphere where I could enjoy a variety of dishes all at once. Being run by locals, both the vibe and the food felt authentically like a real Indian restaurant.

The set menu is well put together, so I think it's a great option for first-time visitors who want to try several dishes. If you're near Sillim Station looking for something a bit different to eat, or searching for a good Indian curry spot in Sillim, this place is worth a visit.

Energy recharge complete. Taking off briefly for the next expedition. I'll be back soon. 🛸